1930 – 2001
Donald Grant was born in North Shields, Northumberland in 1930. His artistic flair was apparent from an early age: he sold his first painting when he was nine to the family doctor. While still a schoolboy he was complimented by the Duke of Gloucester for a large wall mural in a public building and in the same year won a national drawing and design competition.
His youthful insistence to get to the source of certain subjects invited problems. When only sixteen years old, he was arrested on Biggin Hill Airfield for stubbornly ignoring the camp adjutant’s refusal to allow him to sketch the aircraft. Uncontrollable enthusiasm compelled him to climb the barbed fence and produce in less than an hour a commendable water colour study of a lone Spitfire standing on a wet tarmac. The reprimand that followed was never forgotten, but the resolution, so necessary in later trips to Africa, was instinctively nurtured.
Grant continued to paint at every opportunity while following a varied career. This began with the discipline of a long apprenticeship as a shipbuilding draughtsman, followed by Army service abroad, then periods as a technical illustrator, car stylist and free lance advertising artist. Important commissions for Rolls Royce, B.S.A., and other famous firms were completed during this latter period. In the 1960’s Grant experimented with Hydrogen balloon flying. He found in this experience and atmosphere of serenity which resulted in some superb paintings of balloons in flight, against the majestic splendour of massed clouds. One of his first balloon pictures was immediately accepted by the Royal Academy and sold. Grant’s association with the London Galleries of MacConnal-Mason began at this time and the last few years witnessed a remarkable artistic maturation. Evidence of this is shown in his masterful interpretation of his wildlife subjects.